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Home > Blogs > Butler County News and Issues > Archives > 2009 > August > 06 > Entry
Fiance testifies in Dynus trial
Michelle Castellanos’ voice quivered Thursday, Aug. 6, as she testified in the federal court trial of her fiance, former Dynus Corp. owner Orlando Carter.
Prosecutors asked her about the months immediately before and after the collapse of Dynus, when Carter is alleged to have lied during a petition to eliminate more than $13 million in company and personal debt.
Carter has pleaded not guilty to an 11-count indictment. This includes charges of bankruptcy fraud, which dominated testimony in the trial Thursday.
Other charges are that Carter was part of a scheme that involved bribery, forgeries and taking out millions of dollars in loans in Butler County’s name without county approval. When the deal came to light, Dynus collapsed.
Carter is accused of using Castellanos’ bank account to funnel rental income checks and tax refunds during bankruptcy. Prosecutors produced a copy of a check written from her account with her name on it.
“Whose handwriting is on that check?” asked assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Chema.
“It is not my handwriting,” Castellanos replied.
“Do you recognize the handwriting?” Chema asked.
“It’s Orlando Carter’s,” she said.
Prosecutors also pointed out that Castellanos had invoiced Dynus $43,000 and was paid one week before the company folded for work she said she had done over several months.
On cross examination, Castellanos said she had legitimately worked for Dynus as a professional recruiter. And she said she did what anyone else would do if their fiance couldn’t open a checking account because of money trouble: let him use hers and sign checks with her knowledge.
“Would you lie to protect Mr. Carter,” asked defense attorney Wende Cross.
“No, I would not do that,” Castellanos replied.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: Dynus
Comments
By catherine
August 7, 2009 2:54 PM | Link to this
What happened when former wife testified?